INTERNATIONAL hockey comes to Durham University's Maiden Castle Sports Centre this weekend.

The England and Scotland Under-21 men's hockey squads are playing at 4pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday.

On each day, he Durham Youth Academy will also be in action at Maiden Castle. And as part of the academy's ongoing development programme, the young hockey enthusiasts will be watching the national teams in action.

The academy has 150 hockey players, aged ten to 17, under its wings.

"It is superb to offer children from grass roots hockey and those already representing their county to work alongside the national game's representatives and to learn from them, " said Durham Sport's hockey development officer Lynne Dobison.

Durham Sport development manager Richard Lewis said: "It is superb to be able to offer the children on the hockey programme the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the country's rising stars, as well as being able to showcase the tremendous achievements of Lynne's work as hockey development officers.

Spectators can watch the international matches. The cost for adults is £2, and £1 for uder-18s. All proceeds will go towards the development of hockey in County Durham.